awards
Below are descriptions of all the Institute Awards. Please note that not all Awards have open nominations.
- Awards with Open Nominations:
- Awards with Independent Selection Processes
- Biographies: the People Behind the Awards
AWARDS WITH OPEN NOMINATIONS
Students and Student Organizations
KARL TAYLOR COMPTON PRIZE
The Compton Prizes are given in memory of Dr. Karl Taylor Compton, President of the Institute from 1930 to 1949 and Chairman of the Corporation from 1949 to 1954. They are the highest awards presented by the Institute to students and student organizations in recognition of excellent achievements in citizenship and devotion to the welfare of MIT. They reflect outstanding contributions to the MIT community as a whole, sustained over a significant number of years.
LAYA W. WIESNER AWARD
The Laya W. Wiesner Award honors Mrs. Wiesner's contributions to women's activities at the Institute. It was established in 1980 by the MIT Women's League. The award is presented to the undergraduate woman student who has most enhanced MIT community life.
WILLIAM L. STEWART, JR. AWARD
The Stewart Awards are presented in memory of William L. Stewart, Jr., an alumnus and member of the Corporation who demonstrated deep interest in student life at MIT. The Stewart Awards recognize outstanding contributions by an individual student or student organization to extracurricular activities and events during the preceding year.
EDWARD L. HORTON FELLOWSHIP AWARD
The Edward L. Horton Fellowship Award is given in memory of Edward L. Horton, a doctoral candidate in Physics, to honor his spirited contributions to graduate student life at the Institute. The award will be presented to any student group that fosters fellowship within the graduate student community. This award was established by the Graduate Student Council upon the untimely death of Mr. Horton in 1982. Nomination forms for this award are available at http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/.
LAYA WIESNER COMMUNITY AWARD
The Laya Wiesner Community Award was established in 1999 to honor Mrs. Wiesner's legacy at MIT. The award is presented to a member or friend of the MIT community for conspicuously effective service that reflects Mrs. Wiesner's concerns for enhancing life at the Institute and in the world at large.
ASSOCIATION OF MIT ALUMNAE (AMITA) SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARD
The Association of MIT Alumnae Award is presented to an outstanding senior woman who has demonstrated the highest level of academic excellence through her coursework and related professional activities at MIT.
ALBERT G. HILL PRIZE
The Albert G. Hill Prize is awarded to the minority undergraduate junior or senior student who has maintained high academic standards and made continued contributions to the improvement of the quality of life for minorities at MIT.
JOHN S. W. KELLETT '47 AWARD
The John S. W. Kellett '47 Award recognizes any MIT individual or group for an exceptional and/or sustained commitment to creating a more welcoming environment at MIT, including but not limited to, improving the experience of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered (LBGT), and questioning individuals. The award honors Mr. Kellett, whose spirited support has enabled significant improvements in the lives of members of MIT's LBGT community and the Institute as a whole.
KRISTEN E. FINNEGAN PRIZE
This award was established in memory of Kristen E. Finnegan, a graduate student in Architecture and an outstanding teacher of writing, to recognize the contribution of a graduate student in any discipline in helping undergraduates improve their writing skills. The instruction in writing can occur in any of a variety of contexts, including classroom presentations as a teaching assistant, individual meetings as a teaching assistant or tutor, or as a graduate student in a laboratory working with UROP students. The 2004 prize will be awarded to graduate students for work with undergraduates during the period from February 2, 2004 to February 1, 2005. NOTE: All nominations for the Finnegan Prize should arrive at the Writing Requirement Office, Room 14N-233, no later than Friday, March 18, 2005. Further information is available at http://web.mit.edu/writing/finnegan_prize.
GOODWIN MEDAL
The Goodwin Medal is presented to a graduate student whose performance of teaching duties is "conspicuously effective over and above ordinary excellence." This award was established in memory of Henry Manley Goodwin, the first Dean of the Graduate School of MIT. NOTE: All nominations for the Goodwin Medal should be sent to the relevant department's Head; each department may endorse only one candidate to the Dean for Graduate Education. The nomination process is further described at: http://web.mit.edu/gso/spotlight/index.html
GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL TEACHING AWARDS
The Graduate Student Council Teaching Awards are given each year to one professor or teaching assistant from each school, for excellence in teaching a graduate level course. Nomination forms for this award are available at http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/.
PRISCILLA KING GRAY AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
The Priscilla King Gray Award honors the inspirational contributions Priscilla King Gray has made to public service at MIT. It was established by the Undergraduate Association in cooperation with the Public Service Center. The award recognizes an undergraduate who is exceptionally committed to public service at MIT and its surrounding communities. The recipient of this award clearly demonstrates a personal dedication to social change, prolonged and in-depth involvement and initiative in a leadership capacity.
PATRICK J. MCGOVERN, JR '59 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
In 2002, Patrick J. McGovern, Jr. '59, working through the MIT Entrepreneurship Center, established the McGovern Entrepreneurship Award to be presented annually to an individual student or student team that has made a significant impact on the quality, visibility, and overall spirit of entrepreneurship education and support across the Institute. Any MIT student or student team is eligible for this Award that honors Mr. McGovern, an accomplished entrepreneur, life member of the MIT corporation, and major contributor to the Institute community.
LOUIS SUDLER PRIZE IN THE ARTS
The Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts is presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence or the highest standards of proficiency in music, theater, painting, sculpture, design, architecture or film. The Prize was established in 1982 by Mr. Sudler, a performer in the arts and an arts patron from Chicago. An endowment fund provides a $1,000 award to the honoree. NOTE: All nominations for the Louis Sudler Prize should be sent to:Susan Cohen, Directorby Friday, March 18, 2005. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Council for the Arts at MIT
E15-205
cohen@media.mit.edu
LAYA AND JEROME B. WIESNER STUDENT ART AWARDS
The Laya and Jerome B. Wiesner Student Art Awards are presented annually to two students (undergraduate or graduate), living groups, organizations or activities for outstanding achievement in and contributions to the arts at MIT. Established by the Council for the Arts at MIT in 1979, these awards honor President Emeritus Jerome Wiesner and Mrs. Wiesner for their commitment to the arts at MIT. An endowment fund provides a $1,000 honorarium to each recipient. NOTE: All nominations for the Laya and Jerome B. Wiesner Student Art Awards should be sent to:Susan Cohen, Directorby Friday, March 18, 2005. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Council for the Arts at MIT
E15-205
cohen@media.mit.edu
Faculty, Staff, and Friends of the Institute
EVERETT MOORE BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
The Everett Moore Baker Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching is presented to faculty members, in recognition of exceptional interest and ability in the instruction of undergraduates. This is the only teaching award in which the nomination and selection of the recipients is done entirely by the students. The award is given in memory of Everett Moore Baker, Dean of Students from 1947-1950.
GORDON Y BILLARD AWARD
The Gordon Y Billard Award is made annually to "a member of the faculty, non-faculty employee or one not necessarily affiliated with the Institute, for special service of outstanding merit performed for the Institute." The Fund from which the Billard Awards are made was established by Mr. Gordon Y Billard, a member of the Class of 1924. NOTE: All nominations for the Billard Award should arrive at the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources, Room E19-239, no later than Friday, March 18, 2005.
GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL TEACHING AWARDS
The Graduate Student Council Teaching Awards are given each year to one professor or teaching assistant from each school, for excellence in teaching a graduate level course. Nomination forms for this award are available at http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/.
JOHN S. W. KELLETT '47 AWARD
The John S. W. Kellett '47 Award recognizes any MIT individual or group for an exceptional and/or sustained commitment to creating a more welcoming environment at MIT, including but not limited to, improving the experience of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered (LBGT), and questioning individuals. The award honors Mr. Kellett, whose spirited support has enabled significant improvements in the lives of members of MIT's LBGT community and the Institute as a whole.
JAMES N. MURPHY AWARD
The James N. Murphy Award was established in 1967 in memory of James N. Murphy for his immeasurable contribution to community life at the Institute. It is given to an employee whose spirit and loyalty exemplify this kind of inspired and dedicated service, especially with regard to students. Sustained contribution is a criterion for the award, but longevity, in itself, is not.
FRANK E. PERKINS AWARD
The Frank E. Perkins Award is given each year to a professor who has served as an excellent advisor and mentor for graduate students. The award is named in honor of Frank E. Perkins, Dean of the Graduate School from 1983-95. Nomination forms for this award are available at http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/.
IRWIN SIZER AWARD FOR THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO MIT EDUCATION
The Irwin Sizer Award is presented to any member or group in the Institute community to honor significant innovations and improvements to MIT education. The award is named in honor of Irwin W. Sizer, Dean of the Graduate School from 1967-1975. Nomination forms for this award are available at http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/.
ARTHUR C. SMITH AWARD
The Arthur C. Smith Award was established in 1996 on the occasion of Dean Smith's retirement from the position of Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs. The award honors the service of Dean Smith and is presented to a member of the MIT faculty for meaningful contributions and devotion to undergraduate student life and learning at MIT.
LAYA WIESNER COMMUNITY AWARD
The Laya Wiesner Community Award was established in 1999 to honor Mrs. Wiesner's legacy at MIT. The award is presented to a member or friend of the MIT community for conspicuously effective service that reflects Mrs. Wiesner's concerns for enhancing life at the Institute and in the world at large.
AWARDS WITH INDEPENDENT SELECTION PROCESSES
BOSE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
The Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching was established in 1990 by the School of Engineering to recognize outstanding contributions to undergraduate education by members of its faculty. The award stands as a tribute to one of the School's finest teachers, Dr. Amar Bose, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and founder of the Bose Corporation.
FREDERICK GARDINER FASSETT, JR. AWARDS
The Frederick Gardiner Fassett, Jr. Awards are presented annually to the male and female members of the fraternity, sorority, and independent living group (FSILG) community who have unselfishly demonstrated the qualities of spirit, dedication, and service in furthering the ideals of MIT fraternity brotherhood and sisterhood.
HOWARD W. JOHNSON AWARD
The Howard W. Johnson Award is presented annually to the male senior athlete of the year.
MALCOLM G. KISPERT AWARDS
The Malcolm G. Kispert Awards are presented annually to the male and female senior scholar-athletes of the year.
RONALD E. MCNAIR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Ronald E. McNair Scholarship, established in Dr. McNair's honor by the Black Alumni/ae of MIT, recognizes a Black undergraduate who has demonstrated strong academic performance and who has made a considerable contribution to the minority community. Well known for his involvement in the MIT and surrounding community, Dr. Ronald E. McNair (Ph.D. '77) was a physicist and astronaut. He died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion.
HAROLD J. PETTEGROVE AWARD
The Harold J. Pettegrove Award is presented in recognition of outstanding service to intramural athletics.
HAROLD AND ARLENE SCHNITZER PRIZE IN THE VISUAL ARTS
The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts is presented annually by the Student Art Association to three MIT students who demonstrate excellence in creating a body of work in the visual arts. This award was established through the generosity of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer, a member of the Class of 1944.
BETSY SCHUMACKER AWARD
The Betsy Schumacker Award is presented annually to an undergraduate woman for excellence in athletic competition.
D. REID WEEDON, JR. '41 ALUMNI/AE RELATIONS AWARD
The D. Reid Weedon, Jr. '41 Alumni/ae Relations Award is presented to the Interfraternity Council member organization that has promoted the greatest interactions between its members and alumni.
